The Pilgrimage of St. Francis

A 7-day contemplative walking journey through the heart of Italy for
those seeking spiritual leadership and a rhythmic stripping away of the essential.

7 Days/6 Nights

~75km Total Distance

Luggage Transfer Available

Historic Agriturismos

Begin the Journey

Some journeys require you to move.

Not just mentally or emotionally, but physically. One foot in front of the other, mile after mile, carrying only what you need. This is a pilgrimage in the truest sense: a walking retreat along the ancient paths St. Francis traveled 800 years ago.

This is for those ready to go all in. It isn’t always comfortable, and it isn’t always easy—but it is transformative in a way that sitting still can never be. We walk to shed what we’ve been carrying, literally and metaphorically. We walk to let the landscape strip away the performance. We walk to come home.

Beyond the Stroll: A Contemplative Retreat in Italy.

This is a deep-immersion experience. It requires physical readiness and spiritual curiosity.

The Physical

You can comfortably walk 10–15 km (6–9 miles) daily over varied, hilly terrain.

The Spiritual

You aren’t looking for a tour; you’re looking for an encounter with spiritual leadership, the kind that arises from silence and endurance.

The Emotional

You’re willing to sit with silence, discomfort, and the raw honesty that emerges after miles on the trail.

Note: f you love the theme but aren’t ready for the physical toll, consider starting with The Way of St. Francis: Florence-Based →.

Movement as Meditation: The Art of Contemplative Walking

We walk a sacred section of the Via di Francesco, utilizing the physical act of pilgrimage as our primary methodology.

  • Contemplative Walking: Daily stretches through the Umbrian countryside. We use the rhythm of the road as our primary methodology for spiritual leadership development.
  • Sacred Landmarks: From the heights of La Verna to the Basilica in Assisi, we stop at sites where seekers have found the holy for centuries.
  • Radical Simplicity: We carry only day packs and stay in authentic agriturismos and monasteries. We eat simply and locally, stripping away the excess of modern life.
  • The Integration Circle: Every evening, we gather to process the day’s miles and the internal shifts that accompanied them.
Get Early Access for 2026
Heather McDaniel, guide for contemplative walking and spiritual leadership retreats in Italy.

MEET YOUR GUIDE

I’m Heather. I believe some things can only be learned by walking.

I’ve walked other ancient paths, and I know that moving the body day after day is what finally breaks the ego open. I’m not asking you to walk barefoot like Francis did, but I am inviting you to trust the road. I’ll hold the container and walk beside you through the joy, the grief, and the wonder that the path inevitably stirs up.

The Logistics

What’s Included:7 days/6 nights in authentic local lodgings, all meals, luggage transfer (you only carry a day pack), site visits, and full facilitation.

What’s Not: Flights, personal hiking gear, and travel insurance.

The Process: An application and discovery call will be required to ensure you are physically and emotionally prepared for this specific journey.

Get Early Access for 2026

FAQS

The Way of St. Francis is a historic pilgrimage route through Umbria and Tuscany, following the landscapes, hermitages, and sacred sites connected to the life of St. Francis. It’s a contemplative walking journey that blends nature, silence, and inner listening — a path designed for those seeking renewal, clarity, or spiritual leadership in their own lives.

A contemplative retreat is a spacious, intentional pause from daily life. Instead of filling your days with activities, we slow down, walk in silence, and practice presence. This retreat emphasizes reflection, simplicity, and embodied awareness — allowing the landscape to do its quiet work on you. It’s a Contemplative Retreat Italy experience rooted in place, rhythm, and inner listening.

You should be comfortable walking 10–15 km (6–9 miles) per day over consecutive days. The terrain is beautiful but includes rolling hills and uneven trails. If you have a regular walking practice or a moderate level of fitness, the path is very doable. We walk at a contemplative pace — this is not a race.

No. We provide daily luggage transfer between lodgings. You’ll carry only a small daypack with water, a light jacket, and personal essentials. This allows you to focus on the movement, the landscape, and the contemplative walking practice rather than the weight on your back.

We have a support system in place. While the intention is to walk the full section of the Via di Francesco, we are never far from local transport. If you need a rest day or prefer to skip a steep section, we can arrange transport to the next lodging. The pilgrimage meets you where you are.

We stay in authentic Italian agriturismos (working farm estates) and converted monasteries. Each location is chosen for its historic character, local food, and hospitality. Expect clean, comfortable, soul‑filling spaces — intentionally simpler than luxury hotels to honor the spirit of pilgrimage.

Not in the denominational sense. While we walk the path of St. Francis and visit sacred sites like La Verna and Assisi, this is a spiritual and somatic journey open to all backgrounds. It’s for seekers interested in contemplation, silence, and the “way of the pilgrim” as a methodology for inner change and spiritual leadership.

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Leave the Noise Behind.

This isn’t just a hike; it’s a rhythmic stripping away of the labels and pressures you’ve been carrying. Join the waitlist to receive the 2026 Prospectus, the Gear Guide, and the full route map for our journey through the heart of Umbria. Note: There is no commitment by joining the waitlist.

  • The Movement: 7 days of guided, intentional walking on ancient paths.
  • The Support: All-inclusive logistics, luggage transfer, and regional meals.
  • The Result: A deep physiological reset and a clarified vision for your next season.